Todays town of Bad Wimpfen incorporated two separate areas : Wimpfen am Berg , the settlement build around the residence of Hohenstaufen dynasty, and Wimpfen am Tal – the area developed near the old collegiate of of Saint Peter in the valley of river Neckar.
The Pfalz Wimpfen has been one of the most important Pfalzen ( big residential castles ) of kings of Germany who at the turning of 12th and 13th century were also crowned Holy Roman Emperors. The chapel, arcaded windows and the tower are the only remains of the castle, which once hosted the most famous members of Hohenstaufen family, including Frederick Barbarossa, Friedrich II and English Henry VI. One of the symbols of the city – 12th century Blauer Turm ( Blue Tower ) served as a watch-tower until the 20th century.
The local museum situated in the old town centre in Wimpfen am Tal exhibit items connected with first Neolitic and Celts settlements in area and the later Roman period.
The central place of Wimpfen am Tal is taken by the former Stiftskirche – collegiate church of Saint Peter with characteristic two towers built between 13th and 14th centuries.
The sculptures on the southern facade are most probably the work of Erich von Steinbach, the architect of famous Strasbourg cathedral.
Picturesque buildings with typical wooden timbering encircling the church were built in 16th-18th centuries.
Discovery of therapeutic use of salt excavated from local deposits brought prosperity to the town, which soon became a widely recognized spa ( visited also by Mark Twain )
and finally in 1930 officially changed the name to Bad Wimpfen.
[photo by Tito Pedro]
